Front Sight / GunSite Classes

[tygerpaw]

Has anyone here ever taken any of the classes at Front Sight in Vegas or GunSite in Arizona? If so, which classes do you recommend?

[ohsmily]

Has anyone here ever taken any of the classes at Front Sight in Vegas or GunSite in Arizona? If so, which classes do you recommend?

I took the 2 day defensive handgun course with my fiance. I was an avid shooter before going but had never had formal instruction. They eliminated a few small bad habits (minor grip and stance adjustments) and , combined with my own time spent practicing afterward, ingrained a very good presentation from the holster, malfunction clearing, and basic threat assessment skill. The course also serves as a CCW class for the Utah and Nevada courses (but you have to pay extra money for those licenses). It was about 1/3 lecture 2/3 shooting/lecture on the firing line.

When you go for your first time, MAKE SURE TO GET ONE OF THE "FIRST FAMILY CERTIFICATES" off of eBay or another source. That way, the course will cost you 100 bucks (sometimes less) plus the $50 background check fee and the cost of ammo. That course is good for a person's first class at Front Sight and works for 1 person for a 4-day class or 2 people for the same simultaneously enrolled 2-day class. It covers 4 and 2 day Defensive Handgun, Defensive Shotgun, or Defensive Rifle classes.

[scorpucla]

Front Sight

Has anyone here ever taken any of the classes at Front Sight in Vegas or GunSite in Arizona? If so, which classes do you recommend?

Took a 4 day defensive handgun at Front Sight. Lots of marketing push, they try to get you to become a member. If I were to do it over, I'd take the class again, BUT I'd never pay full price (was $1600, now $2000) to take the same 4 day class. I think I bought a certificate online for $100 or so, and at that price, the class is worth it. Take a look at their website for basic info (must use factory ammo, rain or shine policy, etc). I stayed in Pahrump, from there it's about a 15-20 minute drive. You need to bring your lunch every day, since they don't have a snackbar or restaurant. Bathrooms are all portables. There was a married couple that took the course, because someone had given them free certificates. They had never really shot before, and after day 2, they were gone. Althought a beginner could probably enjoy themselves, I think the class is geared more toward people who have a basic understanding of firearms, in this case, pistols. For me, the highlights of the 4 day defensive handgun glass, were the simulator (walking through a house, engaging targets), man on man competition, (steel shootout), night shoot, and the malfunction drills. You'll also get a fair amount of practice coming out of the holster.

If you're serious about going to FS, PM me your e-mail, and I'll provide you with additional details (pros/cons).

[rkt88edmo]

Frontsight:
If you have no training background take any course. The 4-day defensive handgun course is the bread and butter course. If you want "more challenging" sign up for the 4-day rifle course.

Alternatively, examine why you want to take a course and make choices based on your needs.

The mindset lectures at fronsight are conducted together, so it will be the same no matter which 4-day course you are taking.

The 2-day classes are the same as the first two days of the four day class.

If you use the search function at glocktalk, thehighroad, and thefiringline you will turn up a lot of reviews for both.

If you can afford to go to Gunsite you can probably afford to go to both Frontsight and Gunsite.

There was a nice review of both with a comparison on a glocktalker's website, but I can't seem to find it right now.

[GW]

I've taken several courses at Front Sight, some years back and thought it was definitely worth the money. Professional training is a great experience and if you are seious about the classes, you will learn a great deal.
Yes, the sales pitches are a drag, but the instruction is first rate.
Check e-bay for certicates First Family certs are usually very cheap and will get a 1st time visitor into any of the 4-day basic classes--rifle, pistol or shotgun.
Shotgun was the most fun for me.

[Mute]

To work on your shooting skills and the mechanics, either will do. For a little more discussion on tactics and defensive skills beyond just the shooting mechanics, I feel Gunsite is a little more in depth.

[MilSpec.45]

I am doing the 4 day defensive handgun course at Front Sight in march.

I can't wait to get some professional guidance as I basically have taught myself how to shoot.

[tedbeemer]

I agree that FS has some pretty professional instructors. Excellent for first-time students.
Some schools seem to stress TESTOSTERONE more then instruction. Listening to "war stories" are great fun and all, but some folks are turned off by the whole machismo thing.
On the other hand, some of those warrior-type courses are as close as some of us will get to the real deal, and can be a great way to experience it all in a few days.
I've taken the demo Uzi class at FS, and have taken some local Tactical Pistol and Shotgun classes as well. When I got my NRA Pistol Instructor's certificate, our teacher was an 80 year old gentleman who was a shooting buddy of Richard Boone ( TV Western's Paladin for you young whippersnappers!). Scotty was an excellent instructor and set a high standard for all of us in that class!
Bottom line : ask around and take the courses and schools suited to your style of learning and potential fun-factor.
Bottom Bottom line: we ALL should take some class or two to improve our shooting skills.
It is most certainly NOT true that the males of our species have a God-given ability to ride motorcycles, shoot guns, or satisfy the fairer sex. Sorry to burst any bubbles out there

[Wulf]

FS's 4-day handgun course is time well spent for the person who's never had any formal training. Its WELL WELL WELL worth what it costs to attend on a certificate. However, there are MUCH MUCH MUCH better places to train at FS's retail prices.

The best analogy I've heard about FS is that its like a chain restaurant with decent food. They serve a lot of people a respectible, filling, wholesome product using recipes that can be duplicated in any kitchen by any person with chief like training. Training with a top drawer trainer or at a top drawer facility is like eating a true 5 star restaurant where the expierence is unique, and the skills of the Chef or more on the order of a gift that a vocation. For the retail prices at FS, you could train at a premium facility like Gunsite, or Thunder Ranch, or with a top drawer itinerant trainer like Suarez, Farnam. Some of the subtleties of what you get with one of these better options (as in the restaurant anology) vs. FS would be lost on a true newbie but are very important to someone savy enough to know the difference. Soit may be that the best option is to go to FS on the cheep, develop some basic skills, and then go top shelf.

So, with all that in mind, here's what I'd recommend. If you're looking for training just because...get a cert for 100 bucks and go to the 4 day at FS. When you're done, evaluate your interest and think about taking your FS skills to another level with a better trainer. If you're under some sort of immediate threat and need to upgrade your self protection skills immediately.....fly to wherever Suarez or Farnam is teaching next and absorb as much as you can.

[Dont Tread on Me]

fly to wherever Suarez or Farnam is teaching next and absorb as much as you can.

+ 1. Suarez is teaching in Fresno this April. I firmly believe that Force on Force training is the only way to go. Standing in a row with ten guys shooting at stationary paper targets is one thing. Having a 250lb man run at you with a rubber knife while you draw from concealment and move to not get "killed" is another.

[The Brit]

Has anyone here ever taken any of the classes at Front Sight in Vegas or GunSite in Arizona? If so, which classes do you recommend?

I've taken instruction at both establishments. I did the 4-day Basic Pistol course at Frontsight, and two week-long Intermediate Pistol courses at Gunsite. I'm also signed up for the Advanced Pistol at Gunsite in October.

As you can probably tell, I tend to favor Gunsite. While both institutions have very good and capable instructors, I found Gunsite to be the more professional of the two establishments.

Frontsight is convenient for Californians, and of course, there is the lure of Las Vegas in the evenings... if you have any energy left after a day on the ranges. However, as previously noted, they do try and sell you on the concept of buying into their 'shooting village' concept. And, if you think the NRA is bad for junk mail and unsolicited phone messages, Frontsight is equally 'aggressive' in their marketing techniques. The other thing that worries me a little is that they have digressed from being purely a shooting school into a sort of Swiss Army Knife of techniques; they now have shooting, rapelling, and I believe defensive driving. However, I will give the owner kudos for at least trying to change Hollywood's image of gun owners and the sport of shooting through his various media campaigns and reality shows.

Gunsite is purely about shooting - end of story. On the courses I've attended, I see a high percentage of military and law enforcement personnel. Of course, the school was originally founded by Jeff Cooper, so there is definate emphasis on defensive pistol techniques. Because it's located near Paulden, Arizona (yea, I know, where the hell is that?), there is no nightlife... but that's not why you're going, is it? Plus, unless you want a long drive, most folks in northern and central California would be forced to fly, with all the attendent TSA problems that entails.

Oh, and finally, when I was at Frontsight, students were not allowed to carry a loaded pistol when away from the actual range. At Gunsite, everybody - students, staff, even the maintenance staff, carried loaded pistols while on the facility. Don't know if this is significant, but it does suggest a level of trust placed in the students by the establishment. Of course, things might have changed at Frontsight since I was there.

Hope this didn't bore you.

[zinfull]

Milspec45

Are you going down with Ron's group.

Jerry

[ibbryn]

Oh, and finally, when I was at Frontsight, students were not allowed to carry a loaded pistol when away from the actual range. At Gunsite, everybody - students, staff, even the maintenance staff, carried loaded pistols while on the facility. Don't know if this is significant, but it does suggest a level of trust placed in the students by the establishment.

That's very relevant to the mindset of the instructors.

[MFortie]

.Oh, and finally, when I was at Frontsight, students were not allowed to carry a loaded pistol when away from the actual range. At Gunsite, everybody - students, staff, even the maintenance staff, carried loaded pistols while on the facility. Don't know if this is significant, but it does suggest a level of trust placed in the students by the establishment. Of course, things might have changed at Frontsight since I was there.

Hope this didn't bore you.

I was there last October for a four-day handgun course. While they did have everyone unload at the end of the session, there was no problem walking loaded to the head, a different range, the pro shop, etc. during a class session. Maybe it's the whole mass of folks walking around (200+) loaded and pulling out their weapons to 'compare' or something they're worried about.

Regards,

Mark

[MilSpec.45]

Milspec45

Are you going down with Ron's group.

Jerry

I sure am! My brother is going too. I take it you are going also? Where in Sonoma County are you?